Villanova University’s David Barrett, PhD, Professor of Political Science, is one of the country's leading experts on the critical relationship between the United States Congress and the Central Intelligence Agency, and is available for interview to discuss the CIA interrogation report.
Professor Barrett offers the following brief thoughts on the report: In one sense, the report is not shocking in that we already knew that what most people would regard as "torture" was carried out by the US (by CIA); still the details are shocking in their brutality and also their suggestion of gross incompetence.In the long history of the CIA and the US Congress, the episode covered by this report is one in which it seems clear that, at a minimum, the CIA misled congressional intel committees.The report's credibility is hurt by the fact that only Democrats participated in its creation; but Republican refusal to engage in doing such a report seems irresponsible.Congress is entirely within its constitutional rights to produce and insist on its publication. The report’s credibility is strengthened by the fact that Diane Feinstein is char of the committee; she has a long, strong record on national security and intelligence issues. If you are interested in speaking with Professor Barrett I would be happy to help put you in touch with him.
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